JC MSFL Matchday 18 review

Oakwood A marched into the next round of the JC League Cup after putting SPEC FC to bed with a convincing 4-0 victory, while defending champions Hendon United Sports Club A climbed to the top of the Premier Division. Danny Caro reflects on Matchday 18 of the JC MSFL season.

MENSCH OF THE WEEKBarry Green (Loughton Orient) - looked to have been taken down in the box and the ref awarded a Loughton Orient penalty. However Barry was very honest and told the ref he had slipped and that it wasn't a penalty. A pure Robbie Fowler against Arsenal moment and one which deserves praise for such honesty

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PETER MORRISON TROPHY ROUND FOUR
London Maccabi Lions B or LML Maccabiah Masters vs Redbridge Jewish Care A
Republic of Flixton vs Chigwell Athletic
Manchester Maccabiah 1st or FC Cosmos vs Blizzard Storm or Faithfold A
South Manchester Sports Club vs Temple Fortune A
FC Team A or North London Raiders A vs Oakwood A
Norstar A vs Hendon United Sports Club A or Woodford Wanderers
Camden Park vs Haroldeans
Brady Maccabi A vs London Maccabi Lions A

Faithfold boss Zuriel Solomon told JC Sport: "We played really well with a number of boys away and dominated from start to finish. They pulled one back in the last minute. We were physically strong today and played some great football in particular."

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JC CYRIL ANEKSTEIN CUP ROUND THREE

FOUR-MIDABLE OAKS MARCH ONOAKWOOD A 4 SPEC FC 0
Premier Division class told as Oakwood A eased to victory over second division SPEC FC in Hatfield.

Further goals from Dan Abrams (2), Dan Ash and Josh Bentley set up a quarter-final clash at Faithfold A.

Oakwood joint-manager Ric Blank told JC Sport: "It was a professional performance against a committed SPEC side who were up for the challenge. They played five across the middle on a slow 3G pitch which made it hard for us to find space. But once we got the goal there was only one outcome.

"The second goal gave us the cushion we needed to breath easily and by the end it could have been more than four. But we're happy with that and, given our keeper wasn't troubled once, it was probably a fair reflection on the play.

"Now we look forward to a huge quarter-final against Faithfold in two weeks time. Before that we play FC Team at their place in what will be a great game. We are not playing Norstar though - whatever Phil says. We'll play them eventually - he just needs to be a little patient. Maybe he can speak to Nigel to bring the game forward. I'll leave it with him."

BRIXTON DEALT HAMMER BLOWBRIXTON OLD BOYS A 2 HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB A 4
A brace from Greg Corin saw Hendon boost their title hopes as they went top following a 4-2 victory over Brixton at Clowes.

Further strikes from Ben Kon and Jacob Gold completed the job.

Brixton's goals came through Adam Arnold.

Hendon manager David Garbacz told JC Sport: "This was a fine win on a difficult, small, heavy pitch against a good young and skilful Brixton team. Although we did not quite reach the heights of last week we did do enough to get the points and it was one of those games where the result was all important.

Brixton boss John Nitka told JC Sport: "This was a game we should have won. We had sufficient opportunities to score more. Overall we played well and matched Hendon albeit we didn't score when needed and they did."

THREE CHEERS FOR RAIDERSBRADY MACCABI A 1 NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A 3
North London Raiders A claimed one of the results of the day with Jamie Wolfson, Jonny Hesselberg and Adam Joselyn steering them to three much-needed points against in-form Brady at Rowley Lane.

Delighted Raiders boss Rob Richman told JC Sport: "I thought it was a very good performance against a really decent Brady side. We defended expertly throughout and always looked dangerous when attacking. My only criticism is that we didn’t take more of the chances we created.

Brady boss Josh Rosenfield told JC Sport: "I think NLR totally deserved all three points. We didn't show up today and had too many individuals with poor performances and we got punished. We had a few important players out, but it's no excuse for the level of performance we showed on the pitch. Our heads dropped for the first time in eight weeks and it shows if you don't turn up you get punished."

CASH STRIKES IT RICH FOR THE LIONSLONDON MACCABI LIONS A 4 FC TEAM A 3LEE CASH booked his place in JC MSFL Team of the Week with a sensational four-goal salvo that settled a seven-goal thriller against FC Team A at Rowley Lane.

FC Team's goals came through Declan Selbo, Jon Toby and Shuey Mirwis, with his first goal for the club.

Lions manager Andy Landesberg told JC Sport: "We are delighted to get the three points that sees Lions climb another two places. We were sloppy in the first 20 minutes, our passing and concentration was not good enough, but this now fast becoming a group of players that want work for each other and also have a fantastic group spirit. They are slowly but surely starting to show us what they are capable of."

FC Team's Jonny Pearl told JC Sport: "We were excellent for the first 37 minutes of the game and completely dominated, taking a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately, the injury to Silvs disrupted us and the experience of Lions shone through. I was delighted with our second half efforts and even after going 3-2 down we still had enough belief to equalise. Fitness then kicked in and we just couldn't hang on.

Camden player-manager Josh Marks told JC Sport: "It was a hard fought victory, and I say that in literal terms as Temple Fortune bullied us on the pitch, almost resulting in the match being abandoned. And off the pitch with Max Saunders on the receiving end of a right hook."

Fortune manager Lee Fegan said: "We weren't at the races today, but full credit to Camden Park who took it to us and deservedly won. They looked much more organised and sharper than we did and it was disappointingly we never got going like we can."

Castle opened the scoring on 55 minutes, heading home a corner from the impressive Richard Baum and the midfield maestro sealed the points with a cool left-footed finished 20 minutes from time.

Delighted Chigwell boss Richard Slater told JC Sport: "It was a solid performance from us today. We never really looked in danger. The last 15 minutes we should have hit another five or six easily if not for poor finishing and wrong options.

"We all wanted to know today, and with seven players out it shows what we are capable of as a squad.

"Special mention to Richard Baum and Jon Swead who at 38 and 34 respectively were absolute class today."

WANDERERS GET A LIFTNORTH WEST NEASDEN A 2 WOODFORD WANDERERS 3
Strikes from Joe Summary, Darryl Green and Mitch Hahn saw Woodford Wanderers win a five-goal thriller against Neasden A at Hadley FC to boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

Neasden took the lead early in first half through the impressive Michael Field, but "a worldie" from Summary hauled Woodford level just two minutes later.

Woodford should have forged ahead but Green missed the easiest chance of the season on the goalline but Green made amends five minutes later with a 30-yard daisy-cutter that the goalkeeper helped over for line.

Hahn then grabbed Woodford's third from long-range after turning two players and although NWN scored a second it was Woodford's day. David Fox grabbed a second for NWN late on.

Shirley boss Dave Lusman told JC Sport: "With a few key men missing, and with only 10 men, we put in an excellent performance. It was a close game and a good one for the few spectators, with both teams hitting the frame of the goal and controversy as we had a perfectly good goal disallowed.

"Hendon had their fair share of play and with the extra man advantage so it was also ways going to difficult for us, but we held tight and played with discipline and composure and our finishing was excellent."

Hendon joint-manager Motty Korman told JC Sport: "Credit to Shirley Park who defended well throughout. We had a lot of possession but couldnt break down their strong back four. We were missing alot of players and looking forward to having a close to full squad back next week."

RAIDERS B STUN BAUMSNORTH LONDON RAIDERS B 2 ATHLETIC BILBAUM 1
North London Raiders B inflicted a rare defeat on promotion-chasing Bilbaum's with late strikes from Toby Katz and Matt Greene earning them an impressive win at Brunel.

Ed Green had put the Baums ahead but Katz equalised five minutes from time when his free-kick trickled through the legs of the visiting keeper.

Green won it in stoppage time after latching on to a long-throw and firing home.

Delighted Raiders boss Oli Shorts told JC Sport: "It was a brilliant win against one of the best teams in our league.

"Our win all be it late was well deserved. Everyone put in a mammoth effort to get the three points."

Baums joint-player-manager Mark Pasha told JC Sport: "Not one to remember for the Baums. A poor start to 2013. We never really got going ... definitely some winter rust lingering. Credit to Raiders though who battled hard throughout and never gave up despite being one down. Onwards and Baumwards."

It looked as though the teams would have to settle for a point until Abrams popped up with an 85th minute winner.

Jubilant NWN player-manager Adam Levene told JC Sport: "It was a tight game with Neaden just edging it. I was really pleased with the effort and attitude shown by the team today and the defence was really solid to keep a deserved clean sheet. It was good to get back to winning ways after the long break.

"A special mention has to go to Bobby Abrams for his goal today which was amazing, he was out by the corner flag, beat six men with some lovely skill and then scored with a great finish low into the far corner from the edge of the box. I think he has goal of the season sewn up already!"

Disappointed Thornes joint-player-manager Jordan Sapler told JC Sport: "It was a bitterly disappointing result today, we played some of our best football in the first half and it looked as if there was only one team in the game.

"The second half turned into a scrappy game and they won due to a well-taken goal. It was pleasing to get back to somewhere near our potential and I'm sure if we can take that into our next couple of games we will start winning again.

FC TEAM B ARE SIX-HITTERSFC TEAM B 6 CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI 2
A brilliant four-goal salvo from FREDDIE MARKS saw FC Team B hit the Cats for six as the visitors went home with their tails between their legs.

Midfield maestro Daniel Woolfe added another two in Team's biggest win of the season.

Dean Shaw pulled it back to 2-1 for Blizzard in the 75th minute before Brady scored three times in 15 minutes to kill off the game.

Brady player-manager Josh Dagul told JC Sport: "Today was a vital win for us and I was delighted by the team spirit shown in a game where we had to dig in to win.

"The scoreline flattered us as the first 60 minutes was very closely fought as we held a 2-1 lead. We then got the all-important third goal and were able to add a few more goals in the last 20 as they tired.

"It's important that we keep in good form and winning games, regardless of whether its ugly or stylish, if we want to win this league and I believe we can do so."

Blizzard boss Simon Linden told JC Sport: "It was the best 75 minutes of football from us all season."

Goals either side of half time from Adam Blin and Ben Polak lifted Oakwood back into second place after their eighth win of the season.

Oaks player-manager Ian Tussie told JC Sport: It was a great win for us on a truly appalling pitch, boggy, on a slope, just a mudbath, the sort of pitch suiting our northern heritage. It was a real leveller and we knew after 10 minutes how hard a game it would be and so if proved. I'm delighted with what we've went and achieved and that we've came away with the three points.

"It was a great win and hope it's the catalyst for a good run before Pesach."

L'EQUIPE DO IT AGAINL’EQUIPE 1 JEWVENTUS 0
L'Equipe maintained their winning habit with a hard fought win over Jewve courtesy of a strike from Daniel Finegold.

L'Equipe player-manager David Prager told JC Sport: "It was another great performance from the lads. Our defensive performance was absolutely first-class; we could have carried on playing for a week and not conceded.

"The 1-0 scoreline makes it look tighter than it was as yet again we missed a hatful of first half chances. That makes it four wins in a row and three clean sheets in a row, both of which are new club records."

JOY FOR LOUGHTONHENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB C 1 LOUGHTON ORIENT 2Barry Green and David Blitz were the goal men as Loughton Orient ran out 2-1 winners over Hendon C in west Hendon.

Hendon top-scorer Alex Elf found the net for the home side.

Loughton Orient boss Dan Curtis told JC Sport: "It wasn't our greatest performance, but today was all about getting the three points and starting to put a run together. All the boys put 110 per cent in today and it paid off in the end."